CEAP Funding Update
CEAP funds have been depleted and the program has now come to a close. We will no longer be accepting applications for this program. Thank you.
CEAP funds have been depleted and the program has now come to a close. We will no longer be accepting applications for this program. Thank you.
For customers who are having difficulties paying their utility bills, Oshawa Power has several ways to help.
We work closely with social agencies in the Durham Region area to offer assistance and ease the burden of paying utility bills for low income individuals and families in our local community, while helping to ensure we can continue to provide utility services to their homes. If you, or someone you know, are having difficulties paying utility bills, please consider the following assistance
Contact us
Disconnection is the last resort for Oshawa Power. As final step before disconnection you may be eligible for an Arrears Management Plan. For your convenience you can submit your AMP request via our online form or call 1 (888) 735-4352 to speak with a representative.
How it works for residential customers:
If you have a security deposit with Oshawa Power, we will use this towards your amount owing.
Oshawa Power will charge you a down payment of up to 15% of the total amount you owe. You may also have to pay any additional service charges (e.g. reconnection charge) on top of the amount owing.
Oshawa Power will then calculate the new total amount owing:
How much time you have to pay the arrears:
Don’t miss payments:
Once you begin making monthly payments, you must still pay your regular electricity bills. If you miss more than one payment on either the Arrears Management Program (AMP) agreement or on your regular billing, Oshawa Power may cancel the agreement and begin the disconnection process.
See if you qualify:
If you’ve already been on an AMP agreement for unpaid bills in the past two years, you may be refused another agreement and the disconnection process may continue.
If an AMP agreement is cancelled early due to non-payment, Oshawa Power may require that you wait 1 year before entering into another agreement.
Oshawa Power’s Compassion Fund has been established to assist Residential electricity customers who are unable to pay their bill. If you have not used any of the existing financial assistance programs offered, please apply to the Oshawa Power Compassion Fund.
Oshawa Power’s Compassion Fund is not funded by ratepayers and is available to all Oshawa Power Residential customers. The funds are limited and applications will be processed in the order they are received. This program is only available if your account balance is past due. Funding will not exceed $150 per household and will not exceed the arrears amount.
To apply for the Oshawa Power Compassion Fund, please fill out this form and a representative will contact you.
Please email any inquiries to cfdl@opuc.on.ca
The Rainy Day Fund at Shine Through the Rain Foundation may be able to assist with overdue utility bills if you are diagnosed with life-threatening illness. Visit www.shinethroughgtherain.ca for information or call 1-866-753-0303.
There are programs put in place to assist low income Ontarians with their hydro bill. The first step is to get the low income status applied to your account. In the Oshawa area you can call the Community Development Council of Durham (CDCD) at 1-866-746-3696 or 905-686-2661.
What does the low income status mean? Having the low income status on your account grants you longer payment terms, waiving of security deposits and access to assistance programs that are regulated through the Ontario Energy Board (OEB).
LEAP is a program that provides consumers a one-time payment on their account to pay arrears to avoid disconnection. Consumers are not limited in how many times they can use this program, but are limited to $500 per year ($600 for electrically heated homes). It is important to note that if the LEAP payment will not sufficiently cover your arrears to avoid disconnection, the program may not release the funds. The CDCD office can help you with the application process. The LEAP program works on a first-come first serve basis and the funds are limited. If you are approved the assistance cheque is sent directly to Oshawa Power to be paid on your account. The program is geared towards low-income households who do not own their residences.
Please contact the Community Development Council of Durham (CDCD) office to see if you qualify at 1-866-746-3696 or 905-686-2661.
In addition to helping with rental arrears the Housing Stability Program also offers financial assistance to qualified low-income Durham singles, couples and families with energy related emergencies. The program helps those who are usually able to afford their energy costs but due to an unexpected financial burden or unanticipated cost increase are unable to pay their heat and or hydro for a short period of time and are in arrears of their gas or hydro. Applicants can access up to two months’ worth of gas or hydro costs.
Oshawa residents can apply for these programs by contacting the CDCD office at 1-866-746-3696 or 905-686-2661.
The OESP program is an on-bill monthly credit that considers the size of your family and total income. It can range from $35.00 to $75.00 per month. For non-senior consumers the credit is active for two years and then you have to reapply. For seniors the credit is good for 5 years before you need to reapply. If you move residences during your term you must reapply. This program is geared towards low to mid income, property owners and renters, seniors and non-seniors.
To apply for the OESP program please visit https://ontarioelectricitysupport.ca/ or call 1-855-831-8151.
TTY: 1-800-855-1155 (TTY to TTY)
Mailing Address:
Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP)
PO Box 1540 STN B
Ottawa, ON, K1P 0C7Email: help@OntarioElectricitySupport.ca
This program is a proactive program that is geared towards lowering your consumption. The program offers free energy assessments and upgrades to your home to help lower your hydro bill. Upgrades include:
If you have already received a LEAP benefit, OESP benefit, a natural gas low income benefit or the low income status in the last 12 months you automatically qualify for this program. You also qualify if you are currently receiving any government assistance benefits such as:
To learn more and access the full program details click here or call 1-855-591-0877.
Community Development Council Durham’s Temporary Housing Support Program is offering financial assistance for housing costs during the COVID-19 pandemic. This program is not administered by Oshawa Power. Visit www.cdcd.org to learn more.
BB takes your annual amount of billing and divides it by 12 to come up with a monthly payment amount. All upcoming known increases for the upcoming year are considered and applied to the monthly average. BB’s are administered with an automatic withdrawal from your financial institution. You have the choice of a payment due date of either the 5th, 15th or 25th of the month.
The monthly payment is applied every month on your bill regardless of your consumption. If you use more or less you still pay the same. Any overages in payments are refunded after 12 months and if you owe more than you paid for after 12 months you can either pay it in a lump sum, or request to increase your monthly payment for the next year to pay it back.
Customers are responsible for monitoring their balance throughout the year. If you feel a mid-year adjustment is required, you can call in and discuss your options with a representative.
Know your rights
The Ontario Energy Board developed a list of rules, including for payment plans and disconnection, to ensure all consumers across the province are treated fairly. Review customer service rules for electricity from the Ontario Energy Board to understand repayment options and arrangements, special rules for low-income customers, and more.
Further information
Further resources:
Connect with us on Twitter @oshawapower and Facebook or subscribe to our email list and receive regular energy saving tips and industry updates
